“Stand up straight!” has been a refrain from parents throughout the ages, but is it really that important? Actually – yes, it is!

Many people assume maintaining proper posture is about appearance: looking tall and confident. In reality, improper posture can cause pain in your neck and upper back and put pressure on your spine, leading to an increased injury risk. 

But what exactly is proper posture? It probably won’t surprise you to learn that it’s more complicated than merely standing up straight. Instead, it’s more about finding the right spinal alignment for your body – and that’s something the physical therapists at Preferred Physical Therapy can help you with!

If you’re struggling with persistent neck or back pain, it may be time to visit us for a postural assessment. We’ll help pinpoint any impairments or imbalances in your spine that might be causing problems and then provide strategies for maintaining your postural alignment throughout the day.

Call us to schedule an appointment for your initial consultation!

Understanding Proper Posture: Movement and Awareness is Key    

Let’s get this out of the way first: There’s no universal “ideal posture” that will work for everyone. Even common advice like “stand up straight” isn’t particularly helpful: for one, no one’s spine is ever perfectly straight since it has a natural curve pattern. For another, you don’t spend your entire life standing still.

Rather than aiming for a non-existent “perfect” posture, you want to focus on two things:

1. Postural Awareness: People don’t set out to have bad posture. You might start the day telling yourself you’re not going to slouch – but then, as you get busy with other tasks, posture becomes the last thing on your mind. By staying more aware of your posture, you can more easily adapt to the various positions you have to hold throughout the day. 

2. Avoid Prolonged Postures: Your body wants to move. Holding the same posture for extended periods (even if you’re sitting up straight and have everything in alignment) is still going to cause problems! Rather than aiming for a “perfect” posture, make sure to change your positions throughout the day. Alternate between sitting and standing. Switch positions. Get up and move around. In short – try to stay as active as possible.

The Relationship Between Posture and Pain

Neck and back pain have several potential causes and contributing factors. Improper posture is often one of them. 

When you lose your postural awareness and start to slouch, it puts extra strain on the muscles that support your spine, particularly the muscles in your neck and upper back. This can lead to overuse injuries that cause pain or restricted mobility.

Remaining in prolonged postures (particularly sitting) also puts extra strain on your back muscles. When you get up and move around – even if it’s just for a few minutes – you relieve that pressure. Staying active also helps strengthen the muscles of your back and core, which helps prevent common musculoskeletal injuries that can cause pain and dysfunction.

Physical Therapy’s Role in Improving Posture 

When you visit us for your appointment, here’s what we’ll do to help you improve your posture and reduce your back and neck pain:

• We start with a comprehensive postural assessment. We’ll take a look at your posture when you’re sitting, standing, and moving, looking for potential areas of dysfunction. We’ll also take a complete health history and might run some additional screens, too, testing for strength, mobility, balance, and more.
  
• We help with any acute pain. Manual therapy techniques and targeted mobility exercises can help relieve your pain and help you get your body’s function back.
  
• We help strengthen any weak muscles: Targeted strengthening exercises will help correct any muscular imbalances stemming from improper posture, providing better support and stability to your spine.
  
• We offer personalized postural corrections: The final piece of the puzzle helps ensure lasting relief. We’ll provide a customized postural improvement plan that speaks to your unique needs and impairments. 

Service Spotlight

Bell’s Palsy 

How Physical Therapy Can Help Restore Facial Movement

Bell’s Palsy can make everyday movements like smiling, blinking, or raising an eyebrow feel difficult or impossible. If you’re experiencing facial weakness or paralysis, physical therapy can help. Our therapists create customized exercise programs designed to restore natural movement, improve muscle control, and enhance coordination.

How Physical Therapy Helps with Bell’s Palsy

Targeted exercises can help retrain your facial muscles, improve strength, and restore function. Your treatment plan may include:

Take the Next Step Toward Recovery

With the right therapy plan, many people regain control and movement in their face. If Bell’s Palsy is affecting your daily life, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your personalized treatment plan.